But what inspires them? Why do they write? In over fifty biographies, Julia Ecceshare illuminates the lives of British authors from the last 100 years, exploring their inspirations, influences and ideas. Illustrated throughout with photographs, paintings and drawings, as well as manuscripts and covers, this enthralling book takes readers back to their favourite childhood classics and introduces new authors for further reading.

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Authors Julia Eccleshare is a writer, reviewer, broadcaster and lecturer, as well as Children's Book Editor for the Guardian newspaper, Chairman of the Smarties' Book Prize and winner of the Eleanor Farjeon Award 2000 in recognition of her contribution to children's literature. Her books include Treasure Islands: The Woman's Hour Guide to Children's Reading and A Guide to the Harry Potter™ Novels.

Anne Fine has written over forty books and has won both the Whitbread Prize and the Carnegie Medal twice. She was appointed Children's Laureate in 2001 in celebration of her outstanding achievement in her field.